by Alan Quick

LAUNCHING in cinemas across the UK from Friday, November 4, is the family comedy-drama “A Street Cat Named Bob”, the film adaptation of James Bowen’s much-loved, best-selling book.

It stars Crediton actor Luke Treadaway (“Unbroken”, “Clash of the Titans”) as James Bowen when he was homeless and a recovering drug-addict.

“A Street Cat Named Bob” tells the moving and life-affirming true story of the unlikely friendship between the young homeless busker, James and the stray ginger cat named Bob who changed his life.

Also starring Ruta Gedmintas (“The Strain”, “The Incident”), Joanne Froggatt (“Downton Abbey”, “Filth”), Anthony Head (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”) and (of course) Bob, filming took place during six weeks in London, mainly in Covent Garden where James and Bob used to busk.

The film is directed by Roger Spottiswoode (“Tomorrow Never Dies”, “Under Fire”, “Air America”, “Turner and Hooch”), with a script from Tim John (“Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde”) and Maria Nation (“Ice Bound”).

The film is produced by Adam Rolston for Shooting Script Films and will be the company’s debut release.

Damian Jones is an executive producer alongside Tim Smith, Paul Brett, Anders Eden, and James Scott for Prescience.

The film will be released in the United States on November 18.

James Bowen’s autobiographical “A Street Cat Named Bob” was published in 2012.

It warmed the hearts of readers across the world, went on to sell millions of copies (one million in the UK alone) and, crucially, helped change the public perception of homelessness.

Stage, film and television actor, Luke grew up in Sandford and went to school in Crediton.

Luke was born on September 10, 1984 at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

He was brought up in Sandford with his father, an architect, his mother, a primary school teacher and two brothers, older brother, Sam Treadaway, an artist and Luke’s slightly younger twin, Harry.

He went to Queen Elizabeth’s Community College in Crediton.

As a younger teenager he played the guitar in a band called "Lizardsun", which he formed with Harry, as well as Matt Conyngham and Seth Campbell.

As a child, Luke was a member of the National Youth Theatre, for whom he played Prince Ivan in "The Firebird". He was also in the ensemble for a production of "Murder in the Cathedral".

While still at drama school, he and his twin brother recorded roles in their first film "Brothers of the Head", in which they played conjoined twins.

After graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2006, Luke played a series lead in "The Innocent Project" for BBC television. He also appeared as 14-year-old "Theo" in the hard-hitting Channel 4 drama "Clapham Junction".

He made his stage debut in "Saint Joan" at the Royal National Theatre, followed by playing "Albert" in the original production of "War Horse" at the same venue.

He was in the National Theatre’s acclaimed adaptation of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", for which he won an Olivier Award.

He has also appeared on television screens in “Fortitude” and “Vicious”.

In “A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life”, Luke stars alongside his girlfriend, British actress Ruta Gedmintas.

In September 2013 Luke returned to Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton to help present awards at the Academy’s Celebration Evening.

Luke is said to have taken inspiration when younger and living in the Crediton area from performances staged by Crediton Arts Centre and Villages In Action and those at Queen Elizabeth’s.